Posted by Ensign Iyun Riani (Scientist) in Side Sim: Ria’s quarters - Making an appointment

Posted by Ensign Dr. Mariah Lee Grayson (Psychiatrist) in Side Sim: Ria’s quarters - Making an appointment

Posted by Ensign Iyun Riani (Scientist) in Side Sim: Ria’s quarters - Making an appointment
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Sitting at the desk in her quarters, Ria stared at the screen of her computer terminal. She knew she had to make an appointment with Dr. Grayson and she wanted to as she hoped that it would help her. Yet here she was, feeling nervous and trying to find the courage to either call the counsellor or send her message. With a deep sigh she eventually started to type. After writing, erasing and re-writing the short message multiple times, it finally read:

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To: Ensign Dr. Mariah Lee Grayson
From: Ensign Iyun Riani
Subject: Appointment

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Dear Dr. Grayson,

I was wondering if you’d be able to see me on a somewhat regular basis? I feel like it might help me and both Lt. Cmdr. Zeanar and Cmdr. Walker told me to as well.

Sincerely,
Ensign Iyun

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Her index finger hovering over the send button, Ria hesitated for a few more minutes before closing her eyes and sending the message. Now she “only” had to wait for a reply.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Mariah sat at her computer terminal working on notes from the day. Documentation was her least favorite part of the job even though she knew it was necessary, and she had to admit, she was losing focus and motivation. When her terminal chimed alerting her she had a message, she eagerly switched over, hoping it wasn’t a boring administrative message from Starfleet Medical brass. Reading the message, Grayson smiled. It was always nice when someone reached out for help on his or her own, and thinking of her conversation with Ever, she recalled Iyun was someone Ever suggested Grayson should work with.

In short order, she sent back her own message: I would love to meet with you. In fact, are you open to meeting now? You would actually be doing me a favor, as I need a break from all of this red tape. Of course, if now is not a good time, I am open to setting up an appointment with you whenever it is convenient. ~Dr. Mariah Grayson

After sending her message to Dr. Grayson, Ria had tried to work on a report she needed to finish, but found that she struggled to concentrate. She was at the same time hoping that Dr. Grayson wouldn’t answer too soon and that she would answer immediately. So it was with a mix of relief and nervousness that she opened her reply. Chewing on her lower lip while reading the message, Ria pondered how to reply. In the end she simply wrote:

Hello Dr. Grayson,

thank you for your quick reply. I have time now. Do you want me to come to your office or would you prefer to meet somewhere else?

~Ensign Iyun

Mariah had also turned her attention back to her work and was surprised to get a response as quickly as she did. She wondered if that was an indication that the Ensign had a pressing concern she needed to discuss or she was just that conscientious. Either way, Grayson was encouraged and took a moment to consider a reply, before finally writing back: I am open to meeting whereever you would be more comfortable and would afford you the most privacy. Just let me know what you would prefer. ~Dr. Grayson

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

Staring at the reply, Ria chewed on her lower lip while pondering the question Dr. Grayson had posed. She felt comfortable in her quarters, but she was sharing them with another Ensign. So that wasn’t an option. Anywhere in public was out of the question as well. Eventually she replied,

Hello Dr. Grayson,

thank you. If you have an office maybe we can meet there? Or in your quarters maybe? I’m sharing mine with a fellow junior officer and I don’t know when she’ll be back. Or maybe on the holodeck? I’m fine either way as long as it’s not somewhere in public.

Ensign Iyun Riani

Fully aware that she wasn’t really giving an answer and instead left the decision for the counsellor, Ria felt uncomfortable, but didn’t know what else to do. So hoping that Dr. Grayson wouldn’t be upset with her, she hit the send button and waited anxiously for her reply.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Reading the reply, Grayson took the answer in stride. It made clear what locations wouldn’t work, but also provided choices. She could appreciate the flexibility and would have no way of knowing the racing thoughts in the other woman’s head just by her reply. Her response was short, but hopefully warm and friendly enough for a text message: how about we meet on the holodeck? It’s been sometime since I’ve visited anywhere but my office. Meet in about 10 minutes?”

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

With a soft sigh of relief, Ria read the message and then replied quickly:
Thank you, Dr. Grayson. See you soon, Iyun Riani

Rising to her feet, she young officer fretted for a bit over what to wear. Was this work? Or … something else? Should she wear her uniform? Or something more casual? The holodeck as a location made it fee a little more casual, but … In the end she just stayed in her uniform, her long dark hair tied back in a neat French braid. Stepping out of her quarters she headed straight towards the holodecks on the Starbase. She knew was a going to be a little early, but she’d rather wait than be late. Thus she ended up standing next to the door, fiddling with the tip of her braid behind her back, as she waited for the counsellor to arrive as well.

~Ensign Iyun, Scientist

Approaching from the opposite direction, Grayson smiled when she saw the scientist waiting for her. She realized in suggesting they meet here, she was potentially creating a more anxious situation for her companion given the number of potential environments they could choose, but the psychiatrist saw this as an opportunity to get a better understanding of the other woman’s concerns and challenges. “Mariah,” Grayson offered simply, not wanting to stand on formalities.

~Dr. Maria Grayson, Psychiatrist